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You may think that changing to seasonal tyres during the winter months is a bit excessive but they’re not only needed for driving on snow and ice. There is a common perception that, as we don’t really get that much snow and ice in the UK (unless you live in Scotland), they are by and large unnecessary.
Regular tyres harden when the temperature drops below seven degrees centigrade, meaning they have less traction on the road. This not only means the risk of spinning off the road is increased, but also the stopping distance is longer if you have to make an emergency stop.
Winter tyre rubber compounds have a higher proportion of natural rubber and a higher silicone content than regular tyres, to minimise the hardening effect at low temperatures.
According to Continental tyres, there are 6,393 more accidents involving cars on UK roads in winter than there are in summer [source: www.tyres-online.co.uk]. While these can’t all be attributed to frozen summer tyres, of course, there is no doubt that winter tyres will reduce the likelihood of an accident.
Another aspect of winter tyres that helps them grip better in wet conditions is the addition of tiny slits in the tread blocks called sipes. The sipes greatly increase the number of lateral edges so that when accelerating or, more importantly, braking the tyre has more leading edges to bite into the road’s surface, adding to its ability to grip.
The process of siping was invented by John Sipe in the US in the 1920s and was initially used to improve the grip on shoes worn in wet conditions in a slaughterhouse! While siping can dramatically improve the traction of tyres in rain and snow it can, however, increase the noise of your tyres on the road in dry conditions, which is one reason why in the summer it is usually best to switch back to your regular tyres.
The heavier, deeper tread patterns on winter tyres also help to prevent aquaplaning. This happens when a tyre struggles to dissipate the water between the road and the car, and as a result you can suddenly find your car has no grip at all and fails to respond to anything you do – which can be a dangerous predicament to find yourself in.
If you do decide to put on some winter tyres, it is often tempting to fit them only on the drive axle, to improve performance when pulling away. However, to ensure good performance and optimal safety, they should really be fitted to all four wheels.
In some European countries it is illegal to drive in regular tyres in the winter. In the UK it is optional, but it is well worth considering. While it may be an extra expense, winter tyres can significantly improve your car’s safety in cold weather.
